Dr Adrian Clements, of Friarage Hospital and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the hospital tried and failed to recruit for "gaps in the workforce" for the last two years.

He said: "We need to make urgent temporary changes to our services to ensure we continue to provide safe clinical services and to mitigate the increasing risk of an emergency evacuation of the site on patient safety grounds."

The NHS Trust said the critical care department at the rural hospital needs four consultants to be safe, but is currently staffed by one 67-year-old.

Two consultants, rather than eight, cover critical care out of hours.

An emergency meeting of North Yorkshire County Council's health scrutiny committee heard:

Friarage's A&E service will temporarily become a "24/7 urgent treatment centre" from 27 March

All 999 and GP emergency patients will be assessed before arrival

Some may be sent to Darlington Memorial or James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, both around 30 minutes drive from the Friarage

Major trauma and serious illnesses (stroke, spinal, head injuries etc) will continue to be treated at James Cook University Hospital, and only patients with minor illnesses and injuries (slips, trips and minor wounds etc) will be treated at the Friarage

The Friarage will be able to start treating children with minor illnesses (fever, rashes, asthma) again

The Trust said once the changes are in place, a public consultation will begin on the hospital's long-term future.

Mark Robson, of Hambleton Council, said the NHS assured him it was "not the thin end of the wedge", but said permanent closure feels an inevitable "fait accompli".